I don’t drink wine any more, although I did once upon a time. But during holidays and on special occasions I have it in my home and I’ve often thought that perhaps I need a better way to store it. Upon checking out wine refrigerators, I was surprised by the reasonable prices of some of them, like the unit on the left. They’re more affordable that I thought, especially for casual users like me. A more serious connoisseur, of course, would need a more elaborate setup.
The Basics of Wine Storage
An expensive drink like wine deserves a great place for storage, and wine refrigerators provide that place. Wine is a great long-term investment because it only gets better as it ages, but the numerous factors that one must consider in properly preserving the quality of the wine might confuse casual collectors (like me!)
Red wine should be stored in a relatively cool temperature at around 40-65°F (10-12°C). However, the changes in the room temperature due to the weather have an affect on how the wine will mature. Extreme weather changes cause sticky deposits to develop around the cork, while the integrity of the cork is damaged if the wine fluctuates between contracting and expanding. Keeping the temperature constant is important in having the wine to mature on time so the wine refrigerator is an ideal storage space.
Keeping the wine bottles in the dark is another factor. Wine placed in clear bottles is susceptible to being damaged by sunlight, but the ultraviolet rays of the light affect even dark-colored bottles, giving an unpleasant aroma to the wine once opened. So be sure to set up your refrigerator in a dark area, not one that is directly in the sun.
The sturdy and stable construction of a wine refrigerator prevents unnecessary movement. Instability and frequent movements disturb the wine inside the bottle and disrupt the process of aging. Placing the unit in a quiet place helps to guarantee the safety of the wine.
Also, how the wine bottles are arranged inside the machine is an important thing to consider for the wines to properly mature. Place them in such a way that you would not have to move the bottles in order to reach a particular bottle.
Last, but certainly not least, the cleanliness of the storage space counts as a factor where your wines are stored. Any foul odor or scent inside the storage space will seep inside the wine bottle through the cork and affecting its overall taste. The wine refrigerator above has a storage surface that is easy to clean, making maintenance easy.
For maximum results, the unit must only be exclusive to wine because other foods, especially those capable of fermenting, might affect how the wines will store.
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